Tampa Bay Defense: David Shining Brightest for Bucs

Monday

Dec 9, 2013 at 12:23 AM

Many people outside of the NFC South or Nebraska probably haven't heard of linebacker Lavonte David.

By RICK BROWNTHE LEDGER

TAMPA | Many people outside of the NFC South or Nebraska probably haven't heard of linebacker Lavonte David.That should change by the end of this season.The most consistent player on the Tampa Bay Bucs defense, David has been making plays week after week for the Bucs.On Sunday, he had a game-high eight solo tackles and tied with a game-high nine total tackles. In addition, David had two quarterback hits, two pass breakups and two interceptions in the team's 27-6 win against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.David is the first Tampa Bay linebacker to record multiple interceptions in the same game since Derrick Brooks had two against Chicago in 1999. He now has interceptions in three straight games, a feat Brooks did in 2002."I just wish I could sit and watch him play," said defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. "I do love doing my part to help him do what he does."David's five interceptions this season is tied for the most by a Buccaneer linebacker in team history. Brooks had five in 2002. He's also one of only four players, since sacks became an official stat in 1982, to record at least six sacks and five interceptions in a single season. He is the only linebacker to do so, joining San Diego's Rodney Harrison (2000), Chicago's Dave Duerson (1986) and Washington's Shawn Springs (2004).Not that those numbers mean much to David, or so he says."I really don't pay attention to the statistical things but it's just all a matter of playing hard," David said. "I love playing this game. I try my best week in and week out and great things happen."In his second year, the second-year Nebraska standout is having a breakout season.He has 116 tackles, 17 tackles for losses, six sacks, 11 quarterback hits and nine pass breakups. He is the only player this season in the NFL with more than 100 tackles and at least five sacks."I think he is playing as well as any linebacker in the league, I really do," said Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano. "He does everything: tackle, (defend the) pass, blitz. There's nothing that guy can't do. He's a really fine football player and as I've said before, just a better person. You can't ask for a better work ethic. He's special."David has bounced back quite nicely from the one down play he's had this season. In the season opener against the Jets, the Bucs were holding on to a 17-15 lead when David was called for a personal foul on quarterback Geno Smith. That 15-yard penalty in the closing seconds was enough to get the Jets in field goal range and kick the game-winning field goal.But that play seems like so long ago as David is quietly becoming a star in this league."I'm just playing the game that I love," David said. "I just love the game of football. Every Sunday I'm going to come out and try my hardest, give my heart for the team and guys that's on the field with me."

[ Rick Brown may be reached at rick.brown@theledger.com. Follow his Bucs coverage at BucsScene.blogs.theledger.com and on Twitter @LedgeronBucs. ]